Published: Saturday, March 2, 2013 at 6:52 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, March 2, 2013 at 6:52 p.m.

A local activist struggling with mental illness is being honored with the Louisiana National Association of Social Workers Public Citizen of the Year award.

The award honors outstanding members in communities that are making a difference in professional social work.

Mickey Fonseca, 48, who has bipolar disorder, has taken his recovery to a different level, being not only as a client but also an employee of the Houma START Corp.

Fonseca has been a peer-support specialist and Wellness Recovery Action Plan facilitator through the START Corp. in Houma for 10 years.

He is a major asset to the community, said his supervisor at START, Barbara Smith.

In addition to his activism and volunteer work, Fonseca serves as a member of the South Central Human Services Authority Cultural and Accessibility Committee, which provides peer recommendations on peer-related matters in clinics and offices in the area.

As a community activist, Fonseca has been successful in changing the public bus route to include a stop at the Terrebonne Mental Health Clinic.

Those attending the clinic now have a better transportation, Smith said.

Fonseca functions as a community watchdog on legislation impacting those with mental illness. He participates in the Region 3 advisory committee and in committees associated with the South Central Louisiana Human Services Authority to represent those working toward recovery.

Fonseca said his own path to recovery has been a difficult one that is still evolving.

“When I first got the mental illness I was depressed. and I didn’t know how to handle it because I didn’t know what a mental illness was,” he said. “Now, living with the mental illness, I feel I’m better off with it.”

“Look what I do,” he said. “There is no stigma — not at all. As long as you take your medicine, you can function.”

“I admire Mickey,” said Smith, who has been working with him for four years. “He’s an all-around guy. When someone has a problem they go to him, and he’s quick with an answer. And if he doesn’t have an answer he will go check in the (Parish Council) to ask them what they can do to help.”

As a regular attendee of the Terrebonne Parish Council meetings, Fonseca offers insightful comments and recommendations to the local governing authority, said Terrebonne Parish President Michel Claudet and other council members, particularly when addressing matters that affect the mental health issues.

Fonseca said when people ask him why he routinely attends council meetings, he tells them it’s because he enjoys it.

“I grew up doing that with my dad,” he said. “I used to tag along with him, and that’s how I got interested. I really love the government and advocating for things that people need.”

Fonseca encourages others with mental illness to look at recovery as a realistic goal.

“I explain to people that when they are diagnosed with a mental illness that there is nothing wrong with it,” he said. “They can live and function like a normal person.”

Fonseca said more needs to be done about mental health in Terrebonne, and he’s working toward that.

“The programs that have been cut in the parish, they need to start them again,” he said. “We used to go on activities, but we don’t go on activities anymore.”

When he’s not advocating, volunteering or working three days a week at START, you’ll likely catch Fonseca walking the streets of Houma or at his home tinkering with computers.

“You’re going to laugh, but I also love reading the newspaper,” he said. “But I do what I do because I care. I care about the parish. I care about people with disabilities. There are people in this world and in this community who are sicker than I am, and they need someone to help guide them if they need it.”

<p>A local activist struggling with mental illness is being honored with the Louisiana National Association of Social Workers Public Citizen of the Year award. </p><p>The award honors outstanding members in communities that are making a difference in professional social work. </p><p>Mickey Fonseca, 48, who has bipolar disorder, has taken his recovery to a different level, being not only as a client but also an employee of the Houma START Corp. </p><p>Fonseca has been a peer-support specialist and Wellness Recovery Action Plan facilitator through the START Corp. in Houma for 10 years. </p><p>He is a major asset to the community, said his supervisor at START, Barbara Smith. </p><p>In addition to his activism and volunteer work, Fonseca serves as a member of the South Central Human Services Authority Cultural and Accessibility Committee, which provides peer recommendations on peer-related matters in clinics and offices in the area. </p><p>As a community activist, Fonseca has been successful in changing the public bus route to include a stop at the Terrebonne Mental Health Clinic. </p><p>Those attending the clinic now have a better transportation, Smith said. </p><p>Fonseca functions as a community watchdog on legislation impacting those with mental illness. He participates in the Region 3 advisory committee and in committees associated with the South Central Louisiana Human Services Authority to represent those working toward recovery. </p><p>Fonseca said his own path to recovery has been a difficult one that is still evolving.</p><p>“When I first got the mental illness I was depressed. and I didn't know how to handle it because I didn't know what a mental illness was,” he said. “Now, living with the mental illness, I feel I'm better off with it.”</p><p>Forget the negative stigmas associated with mental illness, Fonseca said. It's false.</p><p>“Look what I do,” he said. “There is no stigma — not at all. As long as you take your medicine, you can function.”</p><p>“I admire Mickey,” said Smith, who has been working with him for four years. “He's an all-around guy. When someone has a problem they go to him, and he's quick with an answer. And if he doesn't have an answer he will go check in the (Parish Council) to ask them what they can do to help.” </p><p>As a regular attendee of the Terrebonne Parish Council meetings, Fonseca offers insightful comments and recommendations to the local governing authority, said Terrebonne Parish President Michel Claudet and other council members, particularly when addressing matters that affect the mental health issues. </p><p>Fonseca said when people ask him why he routinely attends council meetings, he tells them it's because he enjoys it.</p><p>“I grew up doing that with my dad,” he said. “I used to tag along with him, and that's how I got interested. I really love the government and advocating for things that people need.”</p><p>Fonseca encourages others with mental illness to look at recovery as a realistic goal.</p><p>“I explain to people that when they are diagnosed with a mental illness that there is nothing wrong with it,” he said. “They can live and function like a normal person.”</p><p>Fonseca said more needs to be done about mental health in Terrebonne, and he's working toward that. </p><p>“The programs that have been cut in the parish, they need to start them again,” he said. “We used to go on activities, but we don't go on activities anymore.” </p><p>When he's not advocating, volunteering or working three days a week at START, you'll likely catch Fonseca walking the streets of Houma or at his home tinkering with computers.</p><p>“You're going to laugh, but I also love reading the newspaper,” he said. “But I do what I do because I care. I care about the parish. I care about people with disabilities. There are people in this world and in this community who are sicker than I am, and they need someone to help guide them if they need it.”</p>